Hydrogen Fuel Excise Tax Credit

NOTE: This incentive originally expired on September 30, 2014, but was retroactively extended through December 31, 2014 by Public Law 113-295.

A tax credit of $0.50 per gallon is available for liquefied hydrogen that is sold for use or used as a fuel to operate a motor vehicle. For an entity to be eligible to claim the credit they must be liable for reporting and paying the federal excise tax on the sale or use of the fuel in a motor vehicle. Tax exempt entities such as state and local governments that dispense qualified fuel from an on-site fueling station for use in vehicles qualify for the incentive. Eligible entities must be registered with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The incentive must first be taken as a credit against the entity’s alternative fuel tax liability; any excess over this fuel tax liability may be claimed as a direct payment from the IRS. Under current law, the credit for liquefied hydrogen expires after December 31, 2014. For more information about claiming the credit, see IRS Publication 510 and IRS Forms 637, 720, 4136, and 8849, which are available on the IRS Forms and Publications website. (Reference Public Law 113-295 and 26 U.S. Code 6426)